TEACHING INTERPERSONAL PSYCHOTHERAPY TO PSYCHIATRIC-RESIDENTS

Time-limited therapies ave increasingly important components of clinical practice. The author describes his experience in teaching interpersonal psychotherapy and brief psychotherapy generally to PGY-3 psychiatric residents in two residency programs. Alt hough residents lack psychotherapeutic experience, they appeal to compensate for needed security in the therapeutic role with enthusiasm and vigor, and to adjust relatively easily to the demands of conducting an active, time-limited approach. Videotaping sessions and having appropriately trained supervisors are important factors for program success.